Why Barry Harris has the Best Method for Chromatic Notes

In my experience, the best way to learn to use chromatic passing notes in your solos is using Barry Harris Chromatic Scale. But there is a lot more in there than you might think!

✅The Real Secret About Chromatic Phrases And Great Jazz Licks🧨

✅Overlooked Barry Harris Wisdom That Is Amazing Advice For Jazz

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Content:
00:00 Intro
00:18 The Basic Exercise
01:35 The Advantage - Modular Bebop
03:07 Taking It Up A Level
04:23 It's All About That Exception
05:26 The Hidden Bonus
06:27 Going Too Far
07:23 Going WAY Too Far
08:37 Learning Chords Through Melody
08:45 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!

My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.

The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.

My Gear:

[JensLarsen]

Do you use this method?

✅Overlooked Barry Harris Wisdom That Is Amazing Advice For Jazz

[Lou-ocjv]

Jesus man, Barry's half-step rules, TRIADS, enclosure, and pivots are the sound of what my ears consider "the jazz". It made me feel like I am playing something closer to jazz day by day. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with people like me and many that are newbies to this beautiful music. No more obscure modes and 3 NPS fretboard visualization.

[chrisjazzhands]

My brain has exploded over this concept. It’s the hot girl in my math class who’s open to dating me, but I didn’t notice until second semester.

[ovad]

“… Bebop Boiling Point…” bloody marvellous!

[Gminor]

You are indeed a gentleman and a scholar. I have struggled to gain a clear understanding of the Harris chromatic method for many years, reading Roni Ben Hur’s book, etc. In about 10 minutes you have given the best & most useful explanation I’ve ever seen. I am in your debt sir.

[michaelstevens]

Jens, this is the Best explanation of the Barry Harris method on YouTube. What I like to tell my students is, the reason why their is Chromatic Passing Notes in between diatonic notes in Scales in Jazz is #1. The Chromatisism sounds good. Their are different ways to achieve Chromatisism but the point is, its an important part of the Jazz Language. I like to call it Jazz Grease. #2. It puts Chord Tones on Down Beats as long as you start the Phrase on a Diatonic 1, 3, 5, or 7 and Phrase with 8th notes. Chord Tones on Down Beats help to Define the Chord. Both Bach and Charlie Parker did this but, they were absolutely NOT dogmatic about it. It was not an always rule. Hal Galpers book Forward Motion goes into greater detail.Also, the change in direction can be thought of as an Enclosure and the Intervalic Leap direction change are both important parts of the Jazz Language. Especially Bebop. Also, as far as Harmonizing the Barry Harris scale, the Chromatic Chords in between the Diatonic Chords can be thought of as Diminished Chords with notes from both Whole Half and Half Whole Diminished Scales. Jens, was that Jazz Nerd enough. Have I earned my Degree in Jazz Nerd?

[JoshBeetler]

I like how you snuck “ super easy barely an inconvenience” in there, well done

[rockstarjazzcat]

Barry’s chromatic became the catalyst that got me away from Baker bebop scale thought and into a more organic use of chromaticism. Basically, practicing through my fretboard system the chromatics became automatic as opposed to something I had to think about inserting. Very freeing! Great stuff here! Cheers, Daniel (And Jens, be nice to dogs! 🐶)

[lutherhughes]

This is THE BEST material on Barry's Chromatic Scale I've EVER seen. I love your approach! I'll be sharing this with all my bass students and combos at C.S.U.F. Thanks so much Jens. 👋

[jfitz]

Before I began watching and learning from Jens and others, I would find chromatic runs accidentally in songs I played along with. Looking back, I would phrase without knowing 'what' I was playing but feeling it totally.
The terminology and structure of music, theory and such, were a mystery to me three years ago. I have had the advantage of learning Jazz without much pressure or stress. Works for me. I am challenging myself with more in depth musical classes now. The journey has certainly been enlightening. Peace.

[KennethGonzalez]

There's so much goodness in Barry's teachings! I'm happy that you are covering this. A little knowledge of his approach and some initial practice can really open things up. What I found most meaningful to myintudy was learning to listen to how Barry coached workshop participants on how to construct lines. In this way, when thinking about how to use the chromatic scale, pivots, the scale of chords, or any of the other devices he created, every time you play, you have the opportunity for something new, original, and tailored to how I hear things. So powerful!

[treycross]

Great lesson! I hope I'm not the only one that caught that Pitch Meetings reference.. super easy, barely an inconvenience!

[yusefandersen]

OMG, now you've got me doubled over in laughter.... HIGHER UP ON THE SCALE OF BEBOP GOODNESS.... and yes, we your disciples will humbly follow the straight and narrow path to that sweet bebop goodness.
Just Lovely Jens!

[sgazzz]

Man, this is so usable and eye-opening!! More of this Barry Harris stuff 🙏🏼

[HustleMasta]

After watching this video! I've had the greatest lightbulb moment ever!! Thank you so, so much!!!

[victorwong]

“Barely an inconvenience”… HA!
Great lesson!!

[Waldvogel]

I see the other discussions on this super concept. up beat v down beat I see it as the essence of good music and jazz which is DEPARTURE, TENSION, and RESOLUTION *
forming mini turnarounds centred on the anchors V and VII. Jazz is not about LAWS but creativity, and all good music IMHO is about * DTL. Thank you Jens

[kevon]

This is the most effective YouTube video on chromatics I’ve seen so far. Thanks a bunch!

[FearFrost]

Jens, you really have helped me find a love for jazz! Explaining the techniques, while trying to find my own sonic finger print with the how, and why to the theory. Thank you.

[olebirgerpedersen]

I am not a guitarplayer but a saxophonist, but never the same I have learned a lot from this methods. I look forward to more videos.